Harvest aerial parts of 3-4 year old plants in summer while plant is in flower and dry for future use. Probably the best and easiest way to dry herbs is to hang them in small bunches in a dry, cool, shaded and well-ventilated area. If you put the bunches into brown paper bags, into which you've punched several holes to allow air circulation, bits and pieces will fall into the bag and not onto the floor, and the bag will help keep off bugs and dust. When dry, the herb should be able to be easily crumbled. There are no hard and fast rules about how long this will take.

I like to use a screen on which to dry my herbs. DH built a basic frame and stapled nylon window screening to it. I then put individual stems of scullcap in a single layer across the screen. This allows air circulation from all angles. If you aren't handy or don't have a handy DH, buy a window screen from the hardware store. You can also place a fan to blow across the scullcap to increase circulation and virtually eliminate molding while it dries.

Another way to do it which is great for very fine material ( especially tiny seeds, which might slip through window screening)is simply to use something like a cake rack. Spread it with some paper towelling, then spread your herb evenly over it and leave in a suitable place. Change the paper towelling every day, so that it's always dry and fresh.

For something like chamomile, which has fine seeds, I use a cookie sheet. I find if I use paper towels for chamomile, the herb tends to stick to it, even when changed daily.

For skullcap, small seed isn't a problem and the window screen works great. The paper towels would probably work for skullcap as well.